How I Got Here: Abner Gonsalves, CAE

Abner Gonsalves Associations Now January/February 2017 Issue

One exec's journey from reggae promoter at a local nightclub to partner relations manager at a healthcare career-matching service.

Abner Gonsalves, CAE
Partner Relations Manager, Health eCareers
Alexandria, Virginia

During college in Providence, Rhode Island, Abner Gonsalves, CAE, booked entertainment and handled some management duties for a local night club. While that may seem far removed from his subsequent association management work and his current job as a partner relations manager at a healthcare career-matching service, he says the networking and customer service skills he learned back then have applied all along. Other highlights from his career journey:

Hard work never betrays the worker.—Abner Gonsalves, CAE, Health eCareers

1996–2003 Reggae Promoter and Nightclub Manager at Century Lounge Nightclub

2006–2007 General Manager at Bally Total Fitness

2007–2010 Marketing Specialist at American Institute of Architects

2010–2012 Director of Marketing and Strategic Business Development at American Academy of Physician Assistants

2012–2015 CEO at Think Management

2015– Public Relations Manager at Health eCareers